I am about to make the switch to Canon from Nikon. My subject matter is portraits and landscapes. I intend to purchase a 85 1.2 L + 5D Mark II, is the 17-40 the correct choice for a wide zoom? I know there are some manual focus Zeiss options but I'm looking for a zoom. Thank you.

artsupreme wrote: Are you sure you want to switch with the D800 on the horizon?

The D800 is on the horizon but I have to think the cost is going to be close to $3,000. Plus availabilty maybe months away. Then I would have to invest in some great Nikon lenes to go with it. I have already downsized my gear quite a bit so making the move to Canon would be fairly easy for me. Not an easy decision I've shot Nikon forever.

The 17-40 is a workhorse on APS-c bodies, but I find it more of a specialtly lens on my 5DII. It's great for wide stuff but that is a big gap between 40 and the 85. The 17-40 is a great deal but the 24-70 or 24-105 are better workhorse lenses on FF bodies .

Well, I can't imagine why you'd change who systems then get the 17-40 over the 16-35 f2.8 MkII. (with all due respect to those who have this lens). The 16-35mm MKII is the best wide angle Canon has produced and I've used them all.

Either that, or pick up an adapter and the 14-24 Nikkor for the landscapes. That's pretty much as good as it gets for me.